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Novel use of Hydroxyurea in an African Region with Malaria (NOHARM): a trial for children with sickle cell anemia
source: Blood
year: 2017
authors: Opoka R.O, Ndugwa C.M, Latham T.S, Lane A, Hume H.A, Kasirye P, Hodges J.S, Ware R.E, John C.C
summary/abstract:Hydroxyurea treatment is recommended for children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) living in high-resource malaria-free regions, but its safety and efficacy in malaria-endemic sub-Saharan Africa, where the greatest sickle cell burden exists, remain unknown. In vitro studies suggest hydroxyurea could increase malaria severity, and hydroxyurea-associated neutropenia could worsen infections. NOHARM was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial conducted in malaria-endemic Uganda, comparing hydroxyurea to placebo at 20 ± 2.5 mg/kg/day for 12 months. The primary outcome was incidence of clinical malaria. Secondary outcomes included SCA-related adverse events, clinical and laboratory effects, and hematological toxicities. Children received either hydroxyurea (N=104) or placebo (N=103). Malaria incidence did not differ between children on hydroxyurea [0.05 episodes/child/year, 95% CI (0.02, 0.13)] versus placebo [0.07 episodes/child/year (0.03, 0.16)]; the hydroxyurea/placebo malaria incidence rate ratio was 0.7 [(0.2, 2.7), p=0.61].
Time to infection also did not differ significantly between treatment arms. A composite SCA-related clinical outcome (vaso-occlusive painful crisis, dactylitis, acute chest syndrome, splenic sequestration, or blood transfusion) was less frequent with hydroxyurea (45%) than placebo (69%, p=0.001). Children receiving hydroxyurea had significantly increased hemoglobin concentration and fetal hemoglobin, with decreased leukocytes and reticulocytes. Serious adverse events, sepsis episodes, and dose-limiting toxicities were similar between treatment arms. Three deaths occurred (two hydroxyurea, one placebo, none from malaria). Hydroxyurea treatment appears safe for children with SCA living in malaria-endemic sub-Saharan Africa, without increased severe malaria, infections, or adverse events. Hydroxyurea provides SCA-related laboratory and clinical efficacy, but optimal dosing and monitoring regimens for Africa remain undefined.
organization: Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States; Universite de Montreal Service d'Hematologie/Oncologie, Montreal, Canada; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States; University of Indiana, Indianapolis, United StatesDOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-06-788935
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